It took nearly three decades for Frank O’Connell to get his life back. He was released from prison in 2012 after spending 27 years in prison for a murder he always said he did not commit. A judge agreed after discovering that a sheriff’s detective failed to disclose exculpatory evidence during his original trial. According to the article, at least 180 people have had wrongful convictions thrown out since 1989, with a majority of those dealing with witness misidentification.
Mr. O’Connell was awarded $15 million in a suit against the sheriff’s department, but he can never get those years back. His son was 4 years old when he went to prison and he didn’t get to watch him grow up.
It doesn’t matter what kind of crime you are charged with – you need a skillful criminal defense attorney by your side. You do not want to be wrongfully convicted. Even though our country prides itself on an “innocent until proven guilty” system, we know that the reality is much different. From the moment someone is charged, they are presumed guilty. Even those charged with minor crimes often find their mugshot in the newspaper the next day.
That’s not a good way to start an effective defense.
At Okabe & Haushalter, our attorneys believe that everyone has the right to a fair trial. We offer defense attorneys who are experienced in a wide range of areas:
For most of the crimes listed above, the penalties are prison time and/or stiff fines that could impact you for the rest of your life. For sex crimes, a conviction can mean a lifetime requirement to register as a sex offender, something that will significantly alter how you live, from where you can reside to where you can work.
If your child has been arrested and charged with a crime, it is vital that they secure a good defense attorney. A juvenile conviction can follow a person around for the rest of their lives. We don’t believe that a child should have to forever bear the consequences of a crime they commit and will work to help them through their criminal case.
If you are charged with a serious crime, you need to immediately secure a good defense attorney. Law enforcement and prosecutors are trained to get the most time possible for crimes committed, and a public defender may not have the time or skills necessary to properly defend you. The last thing you need is to do more time than you should for a crime you committed, or worse, do time for a crime you did NOT commit. The livelihood of you and your family can be in jeopardy when you are charged with a criminal offense. Contact us today by clicking here or calling 310-430-7799 for a free consultation.